Presentation on theme Ethics and Governance

Chandigarh November 17, 2016: Jamia Milia University, New Delhi Professor Rumki Basu made a presentation
on the theme Ethics and Governance at the Centre for Competitive examinations, Panjab University (PU). She argued that public servants are creatures of law who hold statutory positions and have to be rational, neutral and apolitical. They are entrusted with the task o execution of public policies within the parameters of law of the land and service rules. Citing Weber an model of governance, she said that the civil servants should differentiate between the public and private domain and should understand that their authority is due to their official position and they do not derive any pecuniary gains as a person except as per law and are bound by service conduct rules.
Referring to a developing country like India where ethics is a major part of administrative reforms, Professor Basu argued that thew doctrine of checks and balances and rule of law should prevail. The civil servants in a liberal welfare democracy like India should also be compassionate develop mentalists and should adhere to both constitutional as well pro-poor ideological values. In the present era of reforms under new public management model, there has also been talk of bringing in private sector ethics in the public services like efficient and transparent delivery of public goods and services.